第19章
AndhowamItodoso？heasked。
Why，Isaid，weknowthatallgermsorseeds，whethervegetableoranimal，whentheyfailtomeetwithpropernutrimentorclimateorsoil，inproportiontotheirvigour，areallthemoresensitivetothewantofasuitableenvironment，forevilisagreaterenemytowhatisgoodthanwhatisnot。
Verytrue。
Thereisreasoninsupposingthatthefinestnatures，whenunderalienconditions，receivemoreinjurythantheinferior，becausethecontrastisgreater。
Certainly。
Andmaywenotsay，Adeimantus，thatthemostgiftedminds，whentheyareill—educated，becomepre—eminentlybad？Donotgreatcrimesandthespiritofpureevilspringoutofafulnessofnatureruinedbyeducationratherthanfromanyinferiority，whereasweaknaturesarescarcelycapableofanyverygreatgoodorverygreatevil？
ThereIthinkthatyouareright。
Andourphilosopherfollowsthesameanalogy—heislikeaplantwhich，havingpropernurture，mustnecessarilygrowandmatureintoallvirtue，but，ifsownandplantedinanaliensoil，becomesthemostnoxiousofallweeds，unlesshebepreservedbysomedivinepower。Doyoureallythink，aspeoplesooftensay，thatouryoutharecorruptedbySophists，orthatprivateteachersoftheartcorrupttheminanydegreeworthspeakingof？ArenotthepublicwhosaythesethingsthegreatestofallSophists？Anddotheynoteducatetoperfectionyoungandold，menandwomenalike，andfashionthemaftertheirownhearts？
Whenisthisaccomplished？hesaid。
Whentheymeettogether，andtheworldsitsdownatanassembly，orinacourtoflaw，oratheatre，oracamp，orinanyotherpopularresort，andthereisagreatuproar，andtheypraisesomethingswhicharebeingsaidordone，andblameotherthings，equallyexaggeratingboth，shoutingandclappingtheirhands，andtheechooftherocksandtheplaceinwhichtheyareassembledredoublesthesoundofthepraiseorblame——atsuchatimewillnotayoungman’sheart，astheysay，leapwithinhim？Willanyprivatetrainingenablehimtostandfirmagainsttheoverwhelmingfloodofpopularopinion？orwillhebecarriedawaybythestream？Willhenothavethenotionsofgoodandevilwhichthepublicingeneralhave——hewilldoastheydo，andastheyare，suchwillhebe？
Yes，Socrates；necessitywillcompelhim。
Andyet，Isaid，thereisastillgreaternecessity，whichhasnotbeenmentioned。
Whatisthat？
Thegentleforceofattainderorconfiscationordeathwhich，asyouareaware，thesenewSophistsandeducatorswhoarethepublic，applywhentheirwordsarepowerless。
Indeedtheydo；andinrightgoodearnest。
NowwhatopinionofanyotherSophist，orofanyprivateperson，canbeexpectedtoovercomeinsuchanunequalcontest？
None，hereplied。
No，indeed，Isaid，eventomaketheattemptisagreatpieceoffolly；thereneitheris，norhasbeen，noriseverlikelytobe，anydifferenttypeofcharacterwhichhashadnoothertraininginvirtuebutthatwhichissuppliedbypublicopinion——Ispeak，myfriend，ofhumanvirtueonly；whatismorethanhuman，astheproverbsays，isnotincluded：forIwouldnothaveyouignorantthat，inthepresentevilstateofgovernments，whateverissavedandcomestogoodissavedbythepowerofGod，aswemaytrulysay。
Iquiteassent，hereplied。
Thenletmecraveyourassentalsotoafurtherobservation。
Whatareyougoingtosay？
Why，thatallthosemercenaryindividuals，whomthemanycallSophistsandwhomtheydeemtobetheiradversaries，do，infact，teachnothingbuttheopinionofthemany，thatistosay，theopinionsoftheirassemblies；andthisistheirwisdom。Imightcomparethemtoamanwhoshouldstudythetempersanddesiresofamightystrongbeastwhoisfedbyhim—hewouldlearnhowtoapproachandhandlehim，alsoatwhattimesandfromwhatcausesheisdangerousorthereverse，andwhatisthemeaningofhisseveralcries，andbywhatsounds，whenanotheruttersthem，heissoothedorinfuriated；andyoumaysupposefurther，thatwhen，bycontinuallyattendinguponhim，hehasbecomeperfectinallthis，hecallshisknowledgewisdom，andmakesofitasystemorart，whichheproceedstoteach，althoughhehasnorealnotionofwhathemeansbytheprinciplesorpassionsofwhichheisspeaking，butcallsthishonourableandthatdishonourable，orgoodorevil，orjustorunjust，allinaccordancewiththetastesandtempersofthegreatbrute。Goodhepronouncestobethatinwhichthebeastdelightsandeviltobethatwhichhedislikes；andhecangivenootheraccountofthemexceptthatthejustandnoblearethenecessary，havingneverhimselfseen，andhavingnopowerofexplainingtoothersthenatureofeither，orthedifferencebetweenthem，whichisimmense。Byheaven，wouldnotsuchanonebearareeducator？
Indeed，hewould。
Andinwhatwaydoeshewhothinksthatwisdomisthediscernmentofthetempersandtastesofthemotleymultitude，whetherinpaintingormusic，or，finally，inpolitics，differfromhimwhomIhavebeendescribingForwhenamanconsortswiththemany，andexhibitstothemhispoemorotherworkofartortheservicewhichhehasdonetheState，makingthemhisjudgeswhenheisnotobliged，theso—callednecessityofDiomedewillobligehimtoproducewhatevertheypraise。Andyetthereasonsareutterlyludicrouswhichtheygiveinconfirmationoftheirownnotionsaboutthehonourableandgood。Didyoueverhearanyofthemwhichwerenot？
No，noramIlikelytohear。
YourecognisethetruthofwhatIhavebeensaying？Thenletmeaskyoutoconsiderfurtherwhethertheworldwilleverbeinducedtobelieveintheexistenceofabsolutebeautyratherthanofthemanybeautiful，oroftheabsoluteineachkindratherthanofthemanyineachkind？
Certainlynot。
Thentheworldcannotpossiblybeaphilosopher？
Impossible。
Andthereforephilosophersmustinevitablyfallunderthecensureoftheworld？
Theymust。
Andofindividualswhoconsortwiththemobandseektopleasethem？
Thatisevident。
Then，doyouseeanywayinwhichthephilosophercanbepreservedinhiscallingtotheend？andrememberwhatweweresayingofhim，thathewastohavequicknessandmemoryandcourageandmagnificence——thesewereadmittedbyustobethetruephilosopher’sgifts。
Yes。
Willnotsuchanonefromhisearlychildhoodbeinallthingsfirstamongall，especiallyifhisbodilyendowmentsarelikehismentalones？
Certainly，hesaid。
Andhisfriendsandfellow—citizenswillwanttousehimashegetsolderfortheirownpurposes？
Noquestion。
Fallingathisfeet，theywillmakerequeststohimanddohimhonourandflatterhim，becausetheywanttogetintotheirhandsnow，thepowerwhichhewillonedaypossess。
Thatoftenhappens，hesaid。
Andwhatwillamansuchashebelikelytodoundersuchcircumstances，especiallyifhebeacitizenofagreatcity，richandnoble，andatallproperyouth？Willhenotbefullofboundlessaspirations，andfancyhimselfabletomanagetheaffairsofHellenesandofbarbarians，andhavinggotsuchnotionsintohisheadwillhenotdilateandelevatehimselfinthefulnessofvainpompandsenselesspride？
Tobesurehewill。
Now，whenheisinthisstateofmind，ifsomeonegentlycomestohimandtellshimthatheisafoolandmustgetunderstanding，whichcanonlybegotbyslavingforit，doyouthinkthat，undersuchadversecircumstances，hewillbeeasilyinducedtolisten？
Farotherwise。
Andeveniftherebesomeonewhothroughinherentgoodnessornaturalreasonablenesshashadhiseyesopenedalittleandishumbledandtakencaptivebyphilosophy，howwillhisfriendsbehavewhentheythinkthattheyarelikelytolosetheadvantagewhichtheywerehopingtoreapfromhiscompanionship？Willtheynotdoandsayanythingtopreventhimfromyieldingtohisbetternatureandtorenderhisteacherpowerless，usingtothisendprivateintriguesaswellaspublicprosecutions？
Therecanbenodoubtofit。
Andhowcanonewhoisthuscircumstancedeverbecomeaphilosopher？
Impossible。
Thenwerewenotrightinsayingthateventheveryqualitieswhichmakeamanaphilosophermay，ifhebeill—educated，diverthimfromphilosophy，nolessthanrichesandtheiraccompanimentsandtheotherso—calledgoodsoflife？
Wewerequiteright。
Thus，myexcellentfriend，isbroughtaboutallthatruinandfailurewhichIhavebeendescribingofthenaturesbestadaptedtothebestofallpursuits；theyarenatureswhichwemaintaintoberareatanytime；thisbeingtheclassoutofwhichcomethemenwhoaretheauthorsofthegreatesteviltoStatesandindividuals；andalsoofthegreatestgoodwhenthetidecarriestheminthatdirection；butasmallmanneverwasthedoerofanygreatthingeithertoindividualsortoStates。
Thatismosttrue，hesaid。
Andsophilosophyisleftdesolate，withhermarriageriteincomplete：forherownhavefallenawayandforsakenher，andwhiletheyareleadingafalseandunbecominglife，otherunworthypersons，seeingthatshehasnokinsmentobeherprotectors，enterinanddishonourher；andfastenuponherthereproacheswhich，asyousay，herreproversutter，whoaffirmofhervotariesthatsomearegoodfornothing，andthatthegreaternumberdeservetheseverestpunishment。
Thatiscertainlywhatpeoplesay。
Yes；andwhatelsewouldyouexpect，Isaid，whenyouthinkofthepunycreatureswho，seeingthislandopentothem——alandwellstockedwithfairnamesandshowytitles——likeprisonersrunningoutofprisonintoasanctuary，takealeapoutoftheirtradesintophilosophy；thosewhodosobeingprobablythecleveresthandsattheirownmiserablecrafts？For，althoughphilosophybeinthisevilcase，stillthereremainsadignityaboutherwhichisnottobefoundinthearts。Andmanyarethusattractedbyherwhosenaturesareimperfectandwhosesoulsaremaimedanddisfiguredbytheirmeannesses，astheirbodiesarebytheirtradesandcrafts。Isnotthisunavoidable？
Yes。
Aretheynotexactlylikeabaldlittletinkerwhohasjustgotoutofduranceandcomeintoafortune；hetakesabathandputsonanewcoat，andisdeckedoutasabridegroomgoingtomarryhismaster’sdaughter，whoisleftpooranddesolate？
Amostexactparallel。
Whatwillbetheissueofsuchmarriages？Willtheynotbevileandbastard？
Therecanbenoquestionofit。
Andwhenpersonswhoareunworthyofeducationapproachphilosophyandmakeanalliancewithherwhoisarankabovethemwhatsortofideasandopinionsarelikelytobegenerated？Willtheynotbesophismscaptivatingtotheear，havingnothinginthemgenuine，orworthyoforakintotruewisdom？
Nodoubt，hesaid。
Then，Adeimantus，Isaid，theworthydisciplesofphilosophywillbebutasmallremnant：perchancesomenobleandwell—educatedperson，detainedbyexileinherservice，whointheabsenceofcorruptinginfluencesremainsdevotedtoher；orsomeloftysoulborninameancity，thepoliticsofwhichhecontemnsandneglects；andtheremaybeagiftedfewwholeavethearts，whichtheyjustlydespise，andcometoher；——orperadventuretherearesomewhoarerestrainedbyourfriendTheages’bridle；foreverythinginthelifeofTheagesconspiredtodiverthimfromphilosophy；butill—healthkepthimawayfrompolitics。Myowncaseoftheinternalsignishardlyworthmentioning，forrarely，ifever，hassuchamonitorbeengiventoanyotherman。Thosewhobelongtothissmallclasshavetastedhowsweetandblessedapossessionphilosophyis，andhavealsoseenenoughofthemadnessofthemultitude；andtheyknowthatnopoliticianishonest，noristhereanychampionofjusticeatwhosesidetheymayfightandbesaved。Suchanonemaybecomparedtoamanwhohasfallenamongwildbeasts——hewillnotjoininthewickednessofhisfellows，butneitherisheablesinglytoresistalltheirfiercenatures，andthereforeseeingthathewouldbeofnousetotheStateortohisfriends，andreflectingthathewouldhavetothrowawayhislifewithoutdoinganygoodeithertohimselforothers，heholdshispeace，andgoeshisownway。Heislikeonewho，inthestormofdustandsleetwhichthedrivingwindhurriesalong，retiresundertheshelterofawall；andseeingtherestofmankindfullofwickedness，heiscontent，ifonlyhecanlivehisownlifeandbepurefromevilorunrighteousness，anddepartinpeaceandgood—will，withbrighthopes。
Yes，hesaid，andhewillhavedoneagreatworkbeforehedeparts。
Agreatwork——yes；butnotthegreatest，unlesshefindaStatesuitabletohim；forinaStatewhichissuitabletohim，hewillhavealargergrowthandbethesaviourofhiscountry，aswellasofhimself。
Thecauseswhyphilosophyisinsuchanevilnamehavenowbeensufficientlyexplained：theinjusticeofthechargesagainstherhasbeenshown—isthereanythingmorewhichyouwishtosay？
Nothingmoreonthatsubject，hereplied；butIshouldliketoknowwhichofthegovernmentsnowexistingisinyouropiniontheoneadaptedtoher。
Notanyofthem，Isaid；andthatispreciselytheaccusationwhichIbringagainstthem——notoneofthemisworthyofthephilosophicnature，andhencethatnatureiswarpedandestranged；
——astheexoticseedwhichissowninaforeignlandbecomesdenaturalized，andiswonttobeoverpoweredandtoloseitselfinthenewsoil，evensothisgrowthofphilosophy，insteadofpersisting，degeneratesandreceivesanothercharacter。ButifphilosophyeverfindsintheStatethatperfectionwhichsheherselfis，thenwillbeseenthatsheisintruthdivine，andthatallotherthings，whethernaturesofmenorinstitutions，arebuthuman；——andnow，I
knowthatyouaregoingtoask，whatthatStateis。
No，hesaid；thereyouarewrong，forIwasgoingtoaskanotherquestion——whetheritistheStateofwhich。wearethefoundersandinventors，orsomeother？
Yes，Ireplied，oursinmostrespects；butyoumayremembermysayingbefore，thatsomelivingauthoritywouldalwaysberequiredintheStatehavingthesameideaoftheconstitutionwhichguidedyouwhenaslegislatoryouwerelayingdownthelaws。
Thatwassaid，hereplied。
Yes，butnotinasatisfactorymanner；youfrightenedusbyinterposingobjections，whichcertainlyshowedthatthediscussionwouldbelonganddifficult；andwhatstillremainsisthereverseofeasy。
Whatisthereremaining？
ThequestionhowthestudyofphilosophymaybesoorderedasnottobetheruinoftheState：Allgreatattemptsareattendedwithrisk；
’hardisthegood，’asmensay。
Still，hesaid，letthepointbeclearedup，andtheenquirywillthenbecomplete。
Ishallnotbehindered，Isaid，byanywantofwill，but，ifatall，byawantofpower：myzealyoumayseeforyourselves；andpleasetoremarkinwhatIamabouttosayhowboldlyandunhesitatinglyIdeclarethatStatesshouldpursuephilosophy，notastheydonow，butinadifferentspirit。
Inwhatmanner？
Atpresent，Isaid，thestudentsofphilosophyarequiteyoung；
beginningwhentheyarehardlypastchildhood，theydevoteonlythetimesavedfrommoneymakingandhousekeepingtosuchpursuits；andeventhoseofthemwhoarereputedtohavemostofthephilosophicspirit，whentheycomewithinsightofthegreatdifficultyofthesubject，Imeandialectic，takethemselvesoff。Inafterlifewheninvitedbysomeoneelse，theymay，perhaps，goandhearalecture，andaboutthistheymakemuchado，forphilosophyisnotconsideredbythemtobetheirproperbusiness：atlast，whentheygrowold，inmostcasestheyareextinguishedmoretrulythanHeracleitus’sun，inasmuchastheyneverlightupagain。
Butwhatoughttobetheircourse？
Justtheopposite。Inchildhoodandyouththeirstudy，andwhatphilosophytheylearn，shouldbesuitedtotheirtenderyears：
duringthisperiodwhiletheyaregrowinguptowardsmanhood，thechiefandspecialcareshouldbegiventotheirbodiesthattheymayhavethemtouseintheserviceofphilosophy；aslifeadvancesandtheintellectbeginstomature，letthemincreasethegymnasticsofthesoul；butwhenthestrengthofourcitizensfailsandispastcivilandmilitaryduties，thenletthemrangeatwillandengageinnoseriouslabour，asweintendthemtolivehappilyhere，andtocrownthislifewithasimilarhappinessinanother。
Howtrulyinearnestyouare，Socrates！hesaid；Iamsureofthat；andyetmostofyourhearers，ifIamnotmistaken，arelikelytobestillmoreearnestintheiroppositiontoyou，andwillneverbeconvinced；Thrasymachusleastofall。
Donotmakeaquarrel，Isaid，betweenThrasymachusandme，whohaverecentlybecomefriends，although，indeed，wewereneverenemies；
forIshallgoonstrivingtotheutmostuntilIeitherconverthimandothermen，ordosomethingwhichmayprofitthemagainstthedaywhentheyliveagain，andholdthelikediscourseinanotherstateofexistence。
Youarespeakingofatimewhichisnotverynear。
Rather，Ireplied，ofatimewhichisasnothingincomparisonwitheternity。Nevertheless，Idonotwonderthatthemanyrefusetobelieve；fortheyhaveneverseenthatofwhichwearenowspeakingrealised；theyhaveseenonlyaconventionalimitationofphilosophy，consistingofwordsartificiallybroughttogether，notliketheseofourshavinganaturalunity。Butahumanbeingwhoinwordandworkisperfectlymoulded，asfarashecanbe，intotheproportionandlikenessofvirtue——suchamanrulinginacitywhichbearsthesameimage，theyhaveneveryetseen，neitheronenormanyofthem——doyouthinkthattheyeverdid？
Noindeed。
No，myfriend，andtheyhaveseldom，ifever，heardfreeandnoblesentiments；suchasmenutterwhentheyareearnestlyandbyeverymeansintheirpowerseekingaftertruthforthesakeofknowledge，whiletheylookcoldlyonthesubtletiesofcontroversy，ofwhichtheendisopinionandstrife，whethertheymeetwiththeminthecourtsoflaworinsociety。
Theyarestrangers，hesaid，tothewordsofwhichyouspeak。
Andthiswaswhatweforesaw，andthiswasthereasonwhytruthforcedustoadmit，notwithoutfearandhesitation，thatneithercitiesnorStatesnorindividualswilleverattainperfectionuntilthesmallclassofphilosopherswhomwetermeduselessbutnotcorruptareprovidentiallycompelled，whethertheywillornot，totakecareoftheState，anduntilalikenecessitybelaidontheStatetoobeythem；oruntilkings，orifnotkings，thesonsofkingsorprinces，aredivinelyinspired’dwithatrueloveoftruephilosophy。Thateitherorbothofthesealternativesareimpossible，Iseenoreasontoaffirm：iftheywereso，wemightindeedbejustlyridiculedasdreamersandvisionaries。AmInotright？
Quiteright。
Ifthen，inthecountlessagesofthepast，oratthepresenthourinsomeforeignclimewhichisfarawayandbeyondourken，theperfectedphilosopherisorhasbeenorhereaftershallbecompelledbyasuperiorpowertohavethechargeoftheState，wearereadytoasserttothedeath，thatthisourconstitutionhasbeen，andis——yea，andwillbewhenevertheMuseofPhilosophyisqueen。Thereisnoimpossibilityinallthis；thatthereisadifficulty，weacknowledgeourselves。
Myopinionagreeswithyours，hesaid。
Butdoyoumeantosaythatthisisnottheopinionofthemultitude？
Ishouldimaginenot，hereplied。
Omyfriend，Isaid，donotattackthemultitude：theywillchangetheirminds，if，notinanaggressivespirit，butgentlyandwiththeviewofsoothingthemandremovingtheirdislikeofover—education，youshowthemyourphilosophersastheyreallyareanddescribeasyouwerejustnowdoingtheircharacterandprofession，andthenmankindwillseethatheofwhomyouarespeakingisnotsuchastheysupposed——iftheyviewhiminthisnewlight，theywillsurelychangetheirnotionofhim，andanswerinanotherstrain。Whocanbeatenmitywithonewholovesthem，whothatishimselfgentleandfreefromenvywillbejealousofoneinwhomthereisnojealousy？Nay，letmeanswerforyou，thatinafewthisharshtempermaybefoundbutnotinthemajorityofmankind。
Iquiteagreewithyou，hesaid。
Anddoyounotalsothink，asIdo，thattheharshfeelingwhichthemanyentertaintowardsphilosophyoriginatesinthepretenders，whorushinuninvited，andarealwaysabusingthem，andfindingfaultwiththem，whomakepersonsinsteadofthingsthethemeoftheirconversation？andnothingcanbemoreunbecominginphilosophersthanthis。
Itismostunbecoming。
Forhe，Adeimantus，whosemindisfixedupontruebeing，hassurelynotimetolookdownupontheaffairsofearth，ortobefilledwithmaliceandenvy，contendingagainstmen；hiseyeiseverdirectedtowardsthingsfixedandimmutable，whichheseesneitherinjuringnorinjuredbyoneanother，butallinordermovingaccordingtoreason；
theseheimitates，andtothesehewill，asfarashecan，conformhimself。Canamanhelpimitatingthatwithwhichheholdsreverentialconverse？
Impossible。
Andthephilosopherholdingconversewiththedivineorder，becomesorderlyanddivine，asfarasthenatureofmanallows；butlikeeveryoneelse，hewillsufferfromdetraction。
Ofcourse。
Andifanecessitybelaiduponhimoffashioning，notonlyhimself，buthumannaturegenerally，whetherinStatesorindividuals，intothatwhichhebeholdselsewhere，willhe，thinkyou，beanunskilfulartificerofjustice，temperance，andeverycivilvirtue？
Anythingbutunskilful。
Andiftheworldperceivesthatwhatwearesayingabouthimisthetruth，willtheybeangrywithphilosophy？Willtheydisbelieveus，whenwetellthemthatnoStatecanbehappywhichisnotdesignedbyartistswhoimitatetheheavenlypattern？
Theywillnotbeangryiftheyunderstand，hesaid。Buthowwilltheydrawouttheplanofwhichyouarespeaking？
TheywillbeginbytakingtheStateandthemannersofmen，fromwhich，asfromatablet，theywillruboutthepicture，andleaveacleansurface。Thisisnoeasytask。Butwhethereasyornot，hereinwillliethedifferencebetweenthemandeveryotherlegislator，——theywillhavenothingtodoeitherwithindividualorState，andwillinscribenolaws，untiltheyhaveeitherfound，orthemselvesmade，acleansurface。
Theywillbeveryright，hesaid。
Havingeffectedthis，theywillproceedtotraceanoutlineoftheconstitution？
Nodoubt。
Andwhentheyarefillinginthework，asIconceive，theywilloftenturntheireyesupwardsanddownwards：Imeanthattheywillfirstlookatabsolutejusticeandbeautyandtemperance，andagainatthehumancopy；andwillmingleandtemperthevariouselementsoflifeintotheimageofaman；andthustheywillconceiveaccordingtothatotherimage，which，whenexistingamongmen，HomercallstheformandlikenessofGod。
Verytrue，hesaid。